Mine locomotive



foce. 2s, 1941. R l.. BARRY I 2,260,360

MINE LOCOMOT IVE Filed July 8, 1940 INVENTOR v L. 'Barry m ATTORNEW Patented Oct. 28, 1941 2,260,380 MINE LoooMorivE Robert L. Barry, Downers Grove, Ill., assigner to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago,

Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application July 8, 1940, Serial No. 344,406

'(Cl. 10S-59) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mine locomotives, and more particularly relates to an improved means for increasing the continuous rating of a given size explosion-proof motor particularly adapted for use in propelling a mine locomotive underground.

Mine locomotives and other machines such as electric cutting or loading machines adapted for operation underground, due to space limitations in the mine, must be of confined dimensions in order to be readily maneuverable about the mine. This limits the size of the motors which can be used for propelling them. The continuous ratings of mine locomotives have heretofore been increased without increasing the size of the motor, by the circulation of air through the motor by means of a blower, but a blower cannotsbe used where the locomotive is operating in an explosive atmosphere for the reason that the motor casing must be totally enclosed and it would be dangerous to open the motor and draw in air from an explosive atmosphere and blow it onto the commutator and motor windings. It also is dangerous to blow a large volume of air directly over the motor casing, to cool it, for the reason that the discharge of the air into the atmosphere is apt to stir up the explosive dust and cause an explosion.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a means for increasing the continuous rating of a given size of enclosed explosion-proof motor by the expansion of a refrigerant around the motor casing.

A more specific object of my invention is to increase the continuous rating of an enclosed motor adapted to serve as the motive power for a mine locomotive or other machine under ground and of the type safe for use in an explosive atmosphere, by absorbing the heat generated by the motor losses by a refrigerant and transferring this heat to the relatively cool frame of the machine.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following speciilcation proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view in side elevation of a mine locomotive, with certain parts broken away and in section in order to illustrate certain details of my invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the locomotive taken substantially along line 2-2 of Figure 1, with certain parts of the motor casng broken away and shown in transverse sec- Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of the motor casing, showing certain details of the expansion duct around the motor casing;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4 4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of a mine locomotive showing a modified form of my mvention.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawing, a mine locomotive generally ndicated by reference character I0 is provided. Said locomotive includes a frame, herein shown as being made up of side plates II, II connected together by bottom plates I2, I2 and end bumpers I3, I3. The construction of said locomotive frame is of a type well known to those skilled in the art, so will not herein be shown or described in detail.

An electric motor I5 is provided to drive the track wheels of the locomotive. Any suitable electric traction motor may be provided and any suitable drive connection may be provided from the motor to the track wheels; or a motor may be provided for each set of track wheels, if desired; but for the purposes of simplicity I preier to show asingle electric motor provided with an armature pinion I6 which meshes with a pair of spaced apart spur gears I'I, IT meshing with gears I 8, I8 having driving connection with the axles of the locomotive.

Referring now in particular to the novel features of my invention, the motor casing is herein shown as being surrounded by a member 20 having outer' walls spaced from said casing and having inwardly extending flanges 2|, 2l secured to said casing to form a duct or expansion chamber through which a refrigerant may be circulated. Said frame member may be secured to said motor casing in a suitable manner such as welding, to provide a gas-tight connection between said casing and frame member. A pipe 22 leads from the lower end of said duct to a compressor 23. Said compressor is driven from a suitable electric motor 24 and may be of any commercial form well known to those skilled in the art, so will not herein be shownor described in detail. A pipe 25 leads from said compressor to condensing coils 26. Said condensing coils are mounted upon one of the side plates II of the locomotive frame, to transfer the heat transferred to said coils by the refrgerating medium to the cooler locomotive side plate and to restore the refrigerant to its proper state for expansion again over the motor shell. From said condenser the refrigerating medium passes through a reerant and t: the locomotive' n"ng the ternneratwe o ing an air stream on windings of the motor proper or without on the rnotor cesi--g end rendering the mine atmosphere dangerous due to the stirring up of the dust therein, as discharged over the motor casing.

in the embodiment oi my invention shown in Figure 5, air taken directiy from the atmosphere is used es a refrigerant. In this form of my invention, a duct 28 is provided around the motor casina. A pipe 8U leads to said duct at one side of the motor casing, and an opening to the air, indicated by reference character 3i, is provided from said duct at the side of the motor casing opposite from said pipe, to permit the circulation and expansion oi" air around said motor casing'. Ei desired, said opening may be dispensed with and the air may ce recirculated through the system. A compressor- 32 is provided to compress the air, and cooling or condensing coils 33 are mounted along one side plate il of the locomotive frame. From said condensing coils the air passes through a receiver 34, an expansion valve 35, to the duct 2t, and is expanded and circulated cui casco around the motor casing and out of the open- GRC i r angenaent of the various parts may be altered Witnout departing from the spirit and cop-e thereof. Furthermore, I do not Wish to be onstrued limiting nig invention to the specific moodiment illustrated, excepting as it may he te in appended ciainis.

f og nur invention:

En an eiectric motor and in combination mine locomotive having a frame, a casing for said motor means for increasing the conol tinuous rating of said motor Without increasing the size theres* comprising means tot; absorbing the heat gener b5' the iosses oi' rector a refrigerant and. ig it to .trarne of said locomotive, oluding a duct extending along the outside of said motor casing and serving as an evaporator or expansion chamber, a compressor for circulating a refrigerant through said duct and condenser coiis mounted on and having engagement with said frame to transfer the heat in said refrigerant to said frame.

2. In an electric motor and in combination with a mine locomotive having a frame, a casing for said motor and means for increasing the continuous rating of said motor Without increasing the size thereof comprising means for absorbing the heat generated by the losses of said motor by a refrigerant and transferring it to the frame of said locomotive, including a duct extending around the outside of said motor casing and forming an evaporating chamber extending therearound, a compressor for circulating a refrigerant through said duct, and condenser coils interposed between said compressor and duct and mounted on and having continuous engagement with a side frame member of said locomotive, to transfer the heat in said refrigerant to said frame.

ROBERT L. BARRY. 

